Heathrow victory for 2M Group (Twickenham & Richmond Liberal Democrats)

Heathrow victory for 2M Group

October 14, 2009 7:33 PM

• THE 2M group is celebrating a Heathrow victory following reports that airport operator BAA will not submit an application for a third runway before the general election.

Cllr Serge Lourie, Leader of Richmond Council, speaking on behalf of 2M, said: "It now seems that the third runway will never go ahead and BAA has finally caved into the pressure from campaigners. We are absolutely thrilled with this news; Richmond is just one of the 24 local councils in the 2M Group that have fought hard against the third runway proposals which would have made a massive impact on the quality of life for millions of people. The fight is not yet over however, and we are determined to ensure that an alternative can be found to a policy of uncontrolled expansion at Heathrow. We intend to stay vigilant and will be looking out for any hint of further expansion - BAA is already preparing plans that could lead to a doubling of night flights. We also fear that cutting back on runway alternation could be back on the agenda."

Commenting on the reports that BAA has conceded defeat over the battle for Heathrow expansion, Susan Kramer MP said: "This admission will not come as a surprise to anyone who can read a balance sheet. The funding for the third runway is to come from the aviation industry and the airlines, and when profits are down in an economic crisis a delay is not surprising. However, we have all had promises made and broken by BAA time and time again. I urge local people not to drop their guard until we get an explicit, cast-iron guarantee from BAA that plans for a third runway will not go ahead."

Both main opposition parties have said they would scrap the third runway.

The 2M Group comprises the London Boroughs of Brent, Camden, Ealing, Greenwich, Hammersmith and Fulham, Haringey, Harrow, Hillingdon, Hounslow, Islington, Kensington and Chelsea, Kingston, Lambeth, Lewisham, Merton, Richmond upon Thames, Sutton, Southwark and Wandsworth, plus the boroughs of Reading, Slough, Windsor and Maidenhead, Wycombe and South Bucks District Council.

Richmond upon Thames Liberal Democrats: